A Year 11 student from Wigan is helping hundreds transform the lives of some of the borough’s most in need residents by helping them go digital.
Sam Boffey, who is a student at Standish High School and a UK Youth Parliament Member, was the first person to sign up to the TechMate programme organised by Wigan Council as a way of helping those in self isolation across the borough get online and use the internet to enhance their lives, keep in touch with loved ones, and look after themselves.
Through using his digital skills, Sam has helped numerous people over lockdown by connecting them with friends and family through technology.
Speaking on the TechMate programme, Sam said: “The TechMate scheme is a programme that was launched by the digital team of Wigan Council [and] it aims to help people who are socially isolated and don’t have access to digital technology to get online through the help of there own personal Tech Mate.
“The programme has been extremely beneficial to many people over lockdown and has enabled people to connect with friends and family through technology.”
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The council’s TechMates service has been helping vulnerable residents stay in touch with loved ones by connecting them with a Techmate who provides advice. Listen to volunteer @samboffey14 on how he got involved & it’s importance #DLW2020 @DigitalWigan pic.twitter.com/TyXCj8Govi
He continued: “I was the first TechMate on the scheme and have helped to pioneer the programme and engage over 50 more people to get involved with the number constantly rising. The scheme is great and highly beneficial to me and to the learners.
“I would recommend anyone thinking of getting involved to sign up.”
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So, what does being a TechMate actually involve then?
As a TechMate, people use their passion for digital to transform the lives of some of the borough’s most in need residents, while adding something invaluable to their CV.
Those involved will provide one-to-one support over the phone or via video to help people learn basic digital skills, such as using the internet, email and everyday apps, and communicating with friends and family online through social media and video calls.
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Staying safe online, transacting online, using council and government services and banking / shopping, creating documents, and taking and sharing photos are amongst the other things support is provided for.
Most TechMate sessions run for one to two hours each week.
Participants are encouraged to keep things flexible and arrange calls at times that suit both them and their TechMate learner.
You can find more information and volunteer to become a TechMate via the Wigan Council website here.
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Tickets officially go on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester
Emily Sergeant
Tickets have now officially gone on sale for rare 70mm IMAX screenings of Dune: Part Three in Manchester.
Arriving on screens from 18 December and gearing up to be one of the most anticipated films of the year, Dune: Part Three – which is the third and final instalment in director Denis Villeneuve’s Dune franchise – will be screening in IMAX 70mm at Vue Manchester Printworks, one of only three venues to show it in this format nationwide.
There are only 40 other venues across the globe showing the film in IMAX 70mm, and Manchester is the only city outside of London to screen the blockbuster this way too.
Based on the novels of Frank Herbert and set nearly two decades after the previous film, Dune: Part Three features an ensemble cast of all-star names led by Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya.
Alongside them will be Jason Momoa, Florence Pugh, Anya Taylor-Joy, Rebecca Ferguson, Robert Pattinson, Charlotte Rampling, Javier Bardem, and Josh Brolin.
After seats for a special early screening of the film in IMAX sold out in less than 30 minutes last month, the IMAX 70mm showings – which officially went live today (20 October) – are expected to be snapped up fast by film fans in Manchester.
“A decade in the making, Denis Villeneuve’s epic Dune trilogy is reaching its dramatic conclusion this December,” explained Dean Cross, who is the Senior Screen Content Manager at Vue.
“As the only venue outside of London to be screening Dune: Part Three in IMAX 70mm, it’s a privilege for us to offer this unique way to experience the film.”
Dune: Part Three is coming to Vue Manchester Printworks on 18 December, and you can book your tickets here.
Featured Image – Warner Bros.
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Free pints and live craft experiences coming to a Manchester pub for one night only
Daisy Jackson
A pop-up pub takeover is opening its doors in Manchester, where you can get your hands on a free pint as well as some amazing craft experiences.
The Uncommon Inn is being operated by premium Italian lager brand Poretti, who want to help us Brits break out of our daily routines.
Matt & Phreds on Tib Street will welcome The Uncommon Inn on Thursday 22 October, from 4pm to 8pm, giving visitors the chance to discover unusual creative skills and watch artisans at work, with a free pint in hand.
It comes after research commissioned by Poretti found that 61% of UK adults feel they are living on autopilot, while a quarter have not tried a new creative pursuit in five years or more.
Free pints and live craft experiences are coming to a Manchester pub for one night only / Credit: Supplied
The study also found that adults have an average of just 90 minutes of genuine personal time each day, with 58% spending that time watching television and 35% scrolling through social media.
Exhaustion and financial constraints came out as the main barriers preventing people from trying new things.
The Uncommon Inn has been designed to offer an alternative, bringing together a collective of specialist makers to showcase their skills in a familiar pub setting.
Visitors to the Manchester event can watch Giulio Miglietta embroidering personalised beer mats, using a vintage Singer sewing machine dating back to the early 1900s, alongside live hand-engraving and bespoke jewellery-style crafting using recycled silver.
The Uncommon Inn is being operated by premium Italian lager brand Poretti / Credit: Supplied
Other demonstrations include 3D body-casting by sculptor Ami of Angelcasts and personalised, hand-engraved glassware from Leigh Calligraphy. Sabira of Sken Studios will also demonstrate how recycled silver can be turned into bespoke bottle openers.
Guests will be able to enjoy complimentary pints of Poretti while watching the makers at work.
Caitlin Maley, Senior Brand Manager at Poretti, said: “Modern life moves at an overwhelming pace, and it’s all too easy to fall into autopilot mode where routine replaces curiosity.
“We believe in celebrating intentional craft, rare skills, and authentic human connection – values that are at the core of our brewing heritage.
“We created The Uncommon Inn to turn an ordinary pub visit into an inspiring journey. By bringing together our Masters of Crafts, from chainstitch embroiderers to live engravers and musicians, we’re inviting pubgoers to slow down, pick up a new skill, and enjoy a pint crafted with genuine passion.”
The Uncommon Inn is at Matt & Phreds in Manchester on Thursday 22 October, from 4pm until 8pm.
Emily Sergeant -
2nd November 2020 
